Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 12, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE ONE OF FOUR MONITORS OF KOSOVO ELECTIONS
[02] GREEK FM IN US, TO MEET WITH ALBRIGHT, CEM
[03] OECD DELEGATION IN ATHENS FOR THOROUGH REVIEW
[04] CONCERNS RISING OVER INCREASING OIL PRICES
[05] SERIES OF STRIKES AHEAD, OLYMPIC AIRWAYS FIRST
[06] GREECE, RUSSIA DISCUSS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE
[07] FOREIGN MINISTER STANDS BY HIS VISIT TO BELGRADE
[08] PRESIDENT ADDRESSES NATO's MILITARY CHIEFS
[09] INT/L CONFERENCE ON DEFENSE TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
[10] TRUE CROSS RELIC IN ATHENS FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP
[11] THE OIL PRICE INCREASE BROUGHT INDIGNATION AND MOBILIZATIONS
[12] THE GREEK PRESIDENT WILL VISIT LATVIA AND ESTONIA
[13] DEUTSCHE BANK PREDICTS THAT THE OTE SHARES WILL BE AT 10.400
DRACHMAS
[14] THOUSANDS OF PILLS OF THE DRUG "ECSTASY" WERE GOING TO FLOOD
THESSALONIKI
[15] ONE DEAD AND THREE INJURED IN A FIRE AT A GAS STATION IN
ATHENS
[16] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[17] QUESTION BY GREEK EURO-DEPUTIES ON THE THEOLOGY SCHOOL IN
HALKI
[18] TURKISH GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU WILL VISIT KEMAL ATATURK'S HOUSE
IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
[19] OPENING TO THE CHINESE MARKET BY THE CITY OF KASTORIA
[20] THE EFFECTS OF THE REVALUATION OF THE US DOLLAR ON THE GREEK
BUSINESSES
[21] GREECE SENDS PROPOSALS FOR TURKEY-EU RELATIONS
[22] ANGELOPOULOU TO IOC: GREECE IS SAFE
[23] GREEK PM WISHES OLYMPIC ATHLETES GOOD LUCK
[24] VISITING NATO MILITARY LEADERS ENJOY DISPLAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[25] FOURTH ROUND OF CYPRUS TALKS GETS UNDERWAY
[26] GERMANY'S FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY TO HELP IN THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
[27] PROPOSAL FOR A "HELSINKI TYPE" BALKAN PACT
[28] PAPANDREOU: THE EU IS INTERESTED IN THE RESTORATION OF THE
RELATIONS WITH YUGOSLAVIA
[29] PAPANDREOU MEETS WITH ALBRIGHT
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE ONE OF FOUR MONITORS OF KOSOVO ELECTIONS
Greek forces will join their French, British and Italian
counterparts in monitoring the October 28 elections in Kosovo, as
it was decided during the annual rotating Convention of NATO's
Military Committee, which opened yesterday at an Athens resort.
The chiefs of armed forces general staff of 19 NATO member-
states opened yesterday's session and discussed the situation in
the Balkans and a new structure for the Alliance.
They also discussed the deployment of the Alliance's forces
in locations to be decided in 2001, following examination of
conditions, capabilities and the local military forces of the
selected locations-regions.
Turkey's National Defense General Staff Chief Hussein
Kivrikoglou was also present at the Convention, although there was
no meeting with his Greek counterpart Manousos Parayoudakis.
Following the session, the Chairman of the Military Committee
Italian Admiral Guido Venturoni said that the good climate between
Greece and Turkey was a reality, adding that the committee was
applying efforts to aid its continuation.
Speaking on Yugoslavia, Adm. Venturoni said that the
committees first and foremost concern was securing normalcy and
peace especially during this time, as this country is scheduled to
hold elections on September 24.
Following yesterday's session, the President of the Hellenic
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos hosted a formal dinner in honor of
the military chiefs.
[02] GREEK FM IN US, TO MEET WITH ALBRIGHT, CEM
Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish
counterpart, Ismail Cem, are expected to meet with U.S. Secretary
of State Madeleine Albright today, as part of a series of meetings
she is holding with Balkan foreign ministers.
According to Undersecretary of Press Telemachus Chytiris, the
Greek and Turkish delegations are to meet on Saturday in order to
review the up-to-date course of bilateral relations and discuss
the Confidence-Building-Measures between the two neighbors.
During his stay in New York, Mr. Papandreou will also met
with his Balkan counterparts and will address the United
Nations on Thursday.
[03] OECD DELEGATION IN ATHENS FOR THOROUGH REVIEW
A delegation of officials from the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) is presently in Athens, in
light of the preparation of its annual report on Greece's economy.
According to the questionnaire forwarded to the national
economy ministry, the OECD delegates are expected to review a
vast range of macroeconomic issues, such as consequences borne on
the national inflation rate by rising prices and the dollar's
revaluation, costs arising from last year's earthquake, economic
consequences of the war in Kosovo, the Athens-held 2004 Olympic
Games, etc.
Moreover, the OECD delegates will be briefed on the course of
restructural reforms, the oncoming reforms on the labor and
insurance sectors, tax system modifications and the timeline for
privatizations.
The OECD delegates, who will remain in Athens until the end
of the week, are to meet with officials from the ministries of
development, labor and transports-communications.
[04] CONCERNS RISING OVER INCREASING OIL PRICES
National Economy and Finance Ministry officials are
reportedly concerned over rising oil prices, while, according to
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, development rates
are expected to decelerate throughout Europe.
According to Mr. Papantoniou, Greece has a comparative
advantage right now because of the large infrastructure projects,
currently under way, compared with the other European Union
countries, and, as such, the National Gross Product development
rate will grow at 4.1 percent this year, accelerating to 5.0
percent in 2001.
[05] SERIES OF STRIKES AHEAD, OLYMPIC AIRWAYS FIRST
Olympic Airways employees are to stage a strike today from 12
noon to 3 p.m., demanding that the company remain in the public
sector and that their labor and pension rights be safeguarded.
The work stoppage will result in flight delays and
cancellations only during the aforementioned time-frame.
Similarly, staff at the Hellenic Telecommnunications
Organization (OTE) are to conduct a strike today, the second in a
row, objecting to the amended legislation that grants the state
the right to proffer more than a 51-percent stake of OTE's shares.
[06] GREECE, RUSSIA DISCUSS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE
A trilateral task force, comprising Greek, Russian and
Bulgarian officials, is to review the Burgas-Alexandroupolis
pipeline project which will bring Caspian Sea oil to Greece,
following recent meeting held recently in Athens between
Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and the Russian Deputy
Energy Minister.
A series of meeting between Greek and Russian delegations
followed, resulting in the signing of a cooperation protocol.
Greece was represented by officials from Greece's Latsis Group,
Kopelouzos Group and Hellenic Petroleum, while the Russian
delegation included representatives of the Gazprom and Gazexport
companies.
The Bulgarian task group has been invited to trilateral talks
in Moscow on September 22-23, in order to review the project's
advisability study and examine which companies are interested in
participating in the Transbalkan Pipeline corporation, presently
in the works.
U.S. firms have expressed an interest in the project, while
Bulgaria's share is presently under negotiation.
The Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline, measuring 275
kilometers, has an annual capacity of transporting 35 million
tons of oil from Russia and Central Asia to the Mediterranean
region.
[07] FOREIGN MINISTER STANDS BY HIS VISIT TO BELGRADE
Foreign Minister George Papandreou steadfastly defended his
recent visit to Belgrade, which provoked criticism both from
internal circles and abroad, by stressing that "if Greece doesn't
take initiatives, then others might very well do so."
In an interview with the Athens daily "Imerisia", Mr.
Papandreou said that, while "the flow of history didn't change,
the status quo in the Balkans is not a pleasant one, therefore it
cannot be maintained, it has to change.
"If we don't dare, we shall remain in a status of instability
with unforeseeable consequences and developments in regions such
as Montenegro," he stressed.
Moreover the Foreign Minister added that "Greece has breathed
oxygen into a process that can lead somewhere. Afterall, it's not
a country that can sit idle and be asked for its view. It has a
vested interest in being at the core of developments."
In all, Mr. Papandreou reiterated that his Balkan tour fared
far better than was expected since "it contributed to overcoming
certain mistaken views concerning both (Greece's) relations with
Yugoslavia and the international community."
Mr. Papandreou dismissed accusations of Greek involvement in
Yugoslavia's internal affairs, by pointing to the lengthy
friendship that ties Serbs with Greeks, a bind that is independent
of any leadership.
[08] PRESIDENT ADDRESSES NATO's MILITARY CHIEFS
President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
hosted a dinner for the 19 visiting NATO military leaders at the
presidential mansion yesterday evening, where he referred to
Greece's sensitive strategic position and its upgraded role in the
establishment of peace, stability and security in the Balkans.
In an apparent call for a goodwill move from Ankara, the
President stated that "Greece desires coexistence with all its
neighbors, in an atmosphere of peaceful cooperation and good-
neighborly relations.
He added that "this certainly applies to our ally Turkey,
with which we look forward to developing friendly and productive
relations."
[09] INT/L CONFERENCE ON DEFENSE TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
The second international conference of the Greek association
of Defense Material Constructors (SEKPY) will be held in Athens
on October 2, featuring the attendance of the defense ministers
from Greece, Cyprus and Great Britain, Akis Tsochatzopoulos,
Socrates Hasikos and Geoff Hoon, respectively.
The conference, titled "Armaments-Cooperation-Economy" will
also be saluted by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and will
feature the participation of Greece's Development Minister Nikos
Christodoulakis and the American and French defense
undersecretaries, as well as leaders of Greek opposition parties.
In all, the event will be attended by delegations
representing 60 countries, all of which will be participating in
the armaments exposition Defendory 2000.
The conference will also provide an analysis of Greece's
defense industry and the sector's small-to-middle size firms, as
well as reviews of the state's economy and ways to contain
unemployment.
[10] TRUE CROSS RELIC IN ATHENS FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP
A section of what is believed to be the True Cross, used for
Christ's crucifixion, arrived in Greece this morning, where it
will be taken to the Athens Cathedral for public worship tomorrow.
The relic's display to the public is taking place on the eve
of the day when the Church of Greece will instruct clerics to
collect signatures to petition the government for a referendum on
whether it should remove religious affiliation from state identity
cards.
The church's signature drive will be held until March 25,
2001.
Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos has
stated that "the Cross is coming at a most opportune time for our
country. On the Feast Day of the True Cross, a (Church) Hierarchy
campaign begins to collect signatures asking the government and
Parliament to hold a referendum."
[11] THE OIL PRICE INCREASE BROUGHT INDIGNATION AND MOBILIZATIONS
The oil refinery price increased by 270% since January 1999,
while the retail price was increased by 60% in the same period of
time, stated to MPA Gas Station Owners' Federation president
Dimitris Makrivelios.
According to Mr. Makrivelios, the explosive price hikes are
mainly the result of the continuous rise of the value of the US
dollar and the increases in the crude oil prices.
Responding to a question on the mobilizations planned for
this month by the truck drivers, he said that their indignation is
justified, adding characteristically that the oil price has
reached 70 drachmas per litre increasing the operational expenses
of the truck drivers.
Mr. Makrivelios stated that Greece has already cut the
special tax, adding that the problem can only be resolved if all
the EU member-states cut the special tax and the 18% Value Added
Tax (VAT) in order to bring about the drop of the retail prices.
He also pointed out that another way to deal with the problem
is to adopt a free market system giving to the gas stations direct
access to the oil refineries aimed at bringing about a price
decrease of up to 25 drachmas.
From his side, International Transportation Truck Federation
council Mr. Sotiris Koutoulis stated to MPA that since last year
the oil price has increased by at least 100 drachmas, meaning that
a trip from Greece to Germany costs 250.000 drachmas and therefore
it is unprofitable.
[12] THE GREEK PRESIDENT WILL VISIT LATVIA AND ESTONIA
Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos will be on a formal
visit to Latvia and Estonia on October 8-13.
Mr. Stephanopoulos will have meetings with the state and
political leadership of the two countries and with government
officials.
[13] DEUTSCHE BANK PREDICTS THAT THE OTE SHARES WILL BE AT 10.400
DRACHMAS
The Deutsche Bank in a recent report sees three revitalizing
factors for the Telecommunications Organization, OTE, shares.
The opening of a subscription for shares of Cosmote (the
mobile phone branch of OTE), privatization and the opening of a
program for the purchase of its own stocks after the failed BTC
buyout effort, are the three developments which according to the
Deutsche Bank analysts could give a boost to the OTE shares.
It is estimated that the current value of the OTE share is at
low levels taking under consideration its true value and based on
the report, it can increase by 30%. Deutsche Bank believes that
the OTE shares are at attractive levels and they can reach the
target of 10.640 drachmas.
[14] THOUSANDS OF PILLS OF THE DRUG "ECSTASY" WERE GOING TO FLOOD
THESSALONIKI
Two Belgians were going to flood Thessaloniki with thousands
of pills of the drug "ecstasy" brought to Greece hidden in a
refrigerator truck full of flowers.
They are the driver of the truck Hobert van der Rinen, 24,
and Johan Koge, 35, who were arrested while delivering a bag with
52.300 pills of the drug to a police officer posing as a buyer.
According to the police, the two Belgians had also agreed to
deliver 50 kilos of hashish together with the pills but they were
not found in the police investigation that followed their arrest.
The Police Department in Thessaloniki announced that the
pills had been made in Holland and Belgium and the truck arrived
in Greece via Italy. The two Belgians delivered the flowers in
Athens and then they traveled to Thessaloniki in order to sell the
drugs.
[15] ONE DEAD AND THREE INJURED IN A FIRE AT A GAS STATION IN
ATHENS
One person was killed and three were injured in a big fire
that broke out in a gas station in Kato Patisia, Athens at noon
today. The fire caused extensive damages to the gas station, while
a fuel tank-truck that was in the car-wash and five private cars
were destroyed.
The fire broke out in the car-wash of the "EuroOil" gas
station and according to information, it was caused by a short-
circuit. It spread quickly and there were a number of explosions
that made the police to order the evacuation of neighboring
buildings as a precaution.
[16] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Today's session in the Athens Stock Exchange ended with big
losses of 4.86%, while the general index was at 4.030,99 points
and the volume of transactions was at satisfactory levels at 152.2
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today only 19 recorded gains, while the
overwhelming majority namely, 336 stocks, had losses and 20
remained unchanged.
[17] QUESTION BY GREEK EURO-DEPUTIES ON THE THEOLOGY SCHOOL IN
HALKI
Turkey violates the Treaty of Lauzanne regarding the rights
of the Greek and the Armenian ethnic communities by refusing to
allow the reopening of the Theology School in Halki, stressed EU
Commissioner Ferhoigen in a response letter addressed to European
Popular Party president Hans-Gert Petering.
Specifically, he mentions that Turkey has to meet its
obligations stemming from the Treaty of Lauzanne as far as the
rights of the Greek and the Armenian community members are
concerned, while on the EU stance he pointed out that, within the
framework of the dialogue with the Turkish authorities, it has to
establish that the recognized religious minorities can exercise
their rights. He also said that the EU will consider the issue in
its regular report on Turkey that will be presented in November.
Based on the above, right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy Euro-deputies Christos Zacharakis and Antonis Trakatelis
submitted a question calling for the immediate intervention of the
EU Commission for the reopening of the Theology School in Halki
and the adoption of measures for the protection of religious
freedom in Turkey.
[18] TURKISH GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU WILL VISIT KEMAL ATATURK'S HOUSE
IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
Turkish Army General Staff chief, general Hussein Kivrikoglu
will visit the house of Kemal Ataturk in Thessaloniki tomorrow
morning. General Kivrikoglu will not take part in the tour of the
monastic community in Mount Athos organized for the NATO national
defense general staff chiefs who participated in a summit meeting
in Athens.
The house of Kemal Ataturk, who is the founder of modern
Turkey, is on the grounds of the Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki
and after the visit general Kivrikoglu will leave for Istanbul.
[19] OPENING TO THE CHINESE MARKET BY THE CITY OF KASTORIA
The city of Kastoria, in north-western Greece is making an
opening to the quickly developing market of China through the
protocol of friendship and cooperation that was signed by the
municipalities of Kastoria and Haining in China.
The protocol formally established the twining and cooperation
between the two cities in the sectors of trade, tourism, culture
and environment as well as on issues concerning the operation of
local administration in general.
Recently, a municipality of Kastoria delegation visited the
municipality of Haining, which is a leather and fur processing,
production and trade center. During their stay in the Chinese
city, the members of the delegation signed the protocol of
friendship and cooperation, while they had meetings with their
Chinese colleagues.
[20] THE EFFECTS OF THE REVALUATION OF THE US DOLLAR ON THE GREEK
BUSINESSES
Association of Exporters in northern Greece general director
Babis Filadarlis in statements he made to MPA characterized the
revaluation of the US dollar as positive for the exports sector.
However, Mr. Filadarlis pointed out that the issue of the
revaluation of the dollar is considerably complex as it is not
easy to pinpoint immediately the negative or positive effects it
will have on a state economy.
He also expressed concern over the problem-infected relation
between the US dollar and the Euro as the continuing decline of
the Euro to the US dollar is a much wider problem that must be
dealt with immediately by the EU.
Meanwhile, the record rise of the US dollar affects the
computer sector and especially the hardware sales of the small-
medium sized companies, according to Computer Companies
Association in northern Greece president Anastasios Tzikas.
He stated that the more somebody is dependent on hardware the
bigger problems he will face, while on the contrary the turnover
in the sector of services and software is not affected by the
revaluation of the US dollar.
[21] GREECE SENDS PROPOSALS FOR TURKEY-EU RELATIONS
Greek undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Elizabeth Papazoi
today referred to the proposals made by Greece for the regulations
concerning Turkey and its relations with the European Union.
The pre-entry regulation proposals are on their way to the
European Parliament, where they will be dealt with by the Council
of Ministers.
Ms Papazoi announced that Greece has sent its proposals
concerning the moulding of Turkey's future relationship with the
EU, which reflect the conclusions reached at Helsinki.
In discussing the efforts made by Cyprus in the areas of EU entry
and solving its political problem, Ms Papazoi commemorated the
mark left on Greek foreign policy by the late Yiannos Kranidiotis,
who believed that the entry of Cyprus in to the EU would be to its
benefit.
The Greek undersecretary of Foreign Affairs will visit the
municipalities of Thrace to discuss a series of matters currently
affecting the area.
[22] ANGELOPOULOU TO IOC: GREECE IS SAFE
President of the Greek Athens 2004 Organisation, Yianna
Angelopoulou presented the progress made by Greece as far as
preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games is concerned, during a
meeting with the International Olympic Committee.
Ms Angelopoulou mentioned that Athens is very safe, as is
Greece in general and that this has been proved by the various
athletic and cultural presentations that it has successfully
organised in the past.
[23] GREEK PM WISHES OLYMPIC ATHLETES GOOD LUCK
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is confident that Greek
athletes will continue to deliver even greater performances as
part of the difficult but bright road marked out during recent
years by athletics in the country, an opinion he voiced during a
speech directed at the Greek Olympic team.
"Your presence at the Olympic Races in Sydney symbolises a modern
and viable Greece. A creative and optimistic Greece. A Greece with
national self-confidence that makes constant efforts", Mr Simitis
said.
"Your successes prove that Greece can will on an
international level, when it persists, when it works hard and
prepares itself seriously", he went on to say.
The Greek Prime Minister wished all the athletes good luck.
[24] VISITING NATO MILITARY LEADERS ENJOY DISPLAY
The 19 military leaders currently visiting Athens were
treated to a military display today and were impressed by the high
standard displayed by the Armed Forces.
The 19 NATO military representatives, amongst them being
Turkish General Chief of Staff Hussein Kivrikoglou, watched the
"Dokos" exercise.
Mr Kivrikoglou talked with his Greek officers and watched
modern weapon systems being operated successfully.
Greek minister of Defense, Akis Tsochatsopoulos, expressed
his satisfaction with the event and stressed that it offered the
opportunity to display the readiness and ability, as well as the
high technological standard, achieved by the Greek Armed Forces.
The military NATO guests will visit Vergina and Mount Athos
tomorrow.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[25] FOURTH ROUND OF CYPRUS TALKS GETS UNDERWAY
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and
Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are embarking on the fourth
round of UN-mediated, indirect talks in New York today, aimed at
ending the island's division.
As in the previous rounds, the two men will not meet face to
face.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, the UN Secretary-
General's press spokesman Fred Eckhardt has said that if the
international organization did not feel there was a chance for
progress in the efforts to reach a settlement in Cyprus, then it
would not keep "plucking away" at the proximity talks.
Replying to questions during his daily briefing yesterday,
Mr. Eckhardt also said the that Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot
sides cannot be forced to discuss issues, pointing out that the
peace effort that opened last December has so far aimed at
bringing them to the point where they could go into the substance
of the Cyprus question.
Meanwhile, President Clerides has described meetings he had
in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly
Millennium Summit, as "constructive". President Clerides
specifically referred to the talks between US President Bill
Clinton and his Turkish counterpart Ahmed Necet Sezer, who
discussed the Cyprus problem.
[26] GERMANY'S FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY TO HELP IN THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
The solution of the Cyprus problem is necessary for the
credibility of the international community, stated the so-called
"Pope" of the German diplomacy Hans Diedrich Gensher in a meeting
he had with foreign correspondents in Berlin yesterday, while he
did not hide his concern over the fact that the problem continuous
to exist.
Referring to the 4th round of the proximity talks on Cyprus
in New York, he expressed the wish that the efforts made will
bring results.
[27] PROPOSAL FOR A "HELSINKI TYPE" BALKAN PACT
Greek opposition Coalition of the Left party presented its
proposal for a "Helsinki type" Balkan pact for the stability,
security and development of all the countries in the region in the
conference of the leftist and progressive parties in Europe that
was held in Stockholm within the framework of the New European
Left Forum.
In their presentation the Coalition of the Left
representatives underlined that peace and stability can not be
safeguarded with the presence of NATO soldiers but they must be
based on the inviolability of the borders, the respect of human
rights and the rights of the ethnic, religious and cultural
minorities.
[28] PAPANDREOU: THE EU IS INTERESTED IN THE RESTORATION OF THE
RELATIONS WITH YUGOSLAVIA
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou stated in an
exclusive interview with the Belgrade newspaper "Blic" that the
message he conveyed to the Yugoslav leadership and the Yugoslav
people was that it is possible to bring changes in the relations
between Yugoslavia and the European Union.
In the interview, Mr. Papandreou points out among others that
his counterparts in the European Union are interested in the
restoration of the relations with Yugoslavia and wants the country
to become an EU member, while he reminded that the EU has
allocated for Yugoslavia the sum of 2.3 billion Euros which is
enough for its reconstruction and development.
He also clarified that he did not visit Belgrade to tell the
Yugoslav people who to vote for, stressing that he does not know
what will be the election results but it is important how the
electoral process will move ahead. He underlined that a democratic
procedure will have a positive effect on the EU decisions while an
undemocratic procedure will have negative consequences.
[29] PAPANDREOU MEETS WITH ALBRIGHT
Greek-American relations, the Cyprus and Greek-Turkish issues
and the situation in the Balkans all formed points of discussion
at the meeting held in New York today, between Greek Foreign
minister George Papandreou and his American counterpart Madeleine
Albright.
"Greece believes it must reach the matters found at the core
of the Cyprus issue during negotiations, something which I have
already stressed to the other 15 Foreign ministers within the
European Union and to Ms Albright, together with the importance of
making all efforts towards achieving this during the fourth round
of talks", Mr Papandreou said after his meetings in New York
today.
"I can say that all parties, especially that of the US, have
shown a willingness to do all they can to push both sides
concerned into achieving effective negotiations", the Greek
Foreign minister went on to say.
Mr Papandreou will also meet with Turkish Foreign minister
Ismail Cem, during the UN's 55th Meeting.
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